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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Then I check out Twitter this morning and apparently pistachios are now being recalled. Peanuts last month, pistachios this month. What the heck?! So if suddenly there are no blog entries you will know what took me down.

Monday, March 30, 2009

These taste just like the grilled Italian sweet sausage and peppers cooking at the street fairs and Italian festivals in the summertime.

One of my best memories of my Dad was of him taking me each summer to the Italian Festa on Long Island where I grew up. My Mum worked nights so it was just my Dad and I. I'd ride my favorite chair-o-plane a few times then we'd sit on a bench and eat sausage & peppers. There may have been some sfingi involved too (Italian fried dough covered in powdered sugar) but we won't talk about those.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

I was outside in the sunshine most of today sucking up oodles of Vitamin D. I hit two Farmer's Markets this morning. My usual and then the next town over just started one too so I wanted to check it out. I'm still not sure why they would make it the same day and time as one not even 10 miles away but whatever. I support all Farmer's Markets and local farmers so I went but... that market needs some work. F-a-r-m-e-r-s Market means mostly products from F-a-r-m-s not swap meet crap. I'll stick to mine. It rocks! Full of fresh veggies, fruit and take a look at the flowers...

Oh and I got to use mine and my Mum's latest artistic creation. I sew like crap but I'm a great designer and cutter. So we teamwork.

Mix together milk, protein, and syrup. I used this gadget to mix it up. It makes it airy and lump free. If you don't have one just toss it in a blender on super high. You want it fluffy almost double in size. Pour into ice cream maker. Pour in mashed banana and chopped strawberries. Follow your machine's instructions for freezing.

You can eat it right away it is soft serve-ish but I like to put it in the freezer to set for an hour.

I served it with a squirt of Land o Lakes Sugar Free Whipped Cream and a drizzle of Smucker's Sugar Free Strawberry Topping.

We ate burgers for dinner the other night but before I cooked those I filled the grill with zucchini and summer squash so I would have some for a variety of dishes this week. It keeps great in the fridge for several days.

Off to work for my pal yesterday, I filled my super cool bento box with some yummy Italian goodies. A few slices of the grilled zucchini were a perfect addition to my Italy meets Japanese bento lunch.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

It was absolutely beautiful yesterday. The most intense blue sky I have ever seen. Not a cloud in sight. A dinner outside on the patio was a given. I just wanted to enjoy every last minute of that sky.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

When fresh cherries are cheap in the summer I buy a ton. I wash, pit, bag them up in Ziplocs and toss them in the freezer. The pitting part used to be a big pain in the toosh but last summer I bought this simple gadget. It's amazing when you have the right tools how much easier it is. When there are no cherries to be found at the Farmer's Market and the supermarkets are charging a fortune for them I pull out some of my sweet secret stash.

I use them in my Black Cherry Protein Ice Cream and Protein Smoothies and these yummy Cherry Nut Muffins I made this weekend. They brightened the rainy day and baking them cheered me up after my weekend plans were washed out. I kept a few out, froze a few for next week (they freeze great), and gave a few to my neighbor. This morning I cut 2 in half and heated them lightly in a pan. They get all golden and toasty. I ate them with a fresh fruit salad. A super yummy start to the day.

Monday, March 23, 2009

So it just rained enough yesterday to ruin my plans. Sunny and 80's for 4 days then the day I have outdoor plans 50's and a storm. A little disappointing but whatcha gonna do?! Reschedule. It did wash the car so I guess I should be thankful. ✔ that one off my list.

When the storm clouds began to clear in the afternoon I was able to get a walk in. The walk after the rain was nice... crisp, clean air and a super cool bento box snack I shared with my Mum on a very damp park bench around the midway point.

Mix till combined and smear onto celery sections. Top with unsweetened dried cranberries (or raisins.) Store any remaining in the fridge for several days.

I actually had a dream the other night about this version of Ants on a Log and when I woke up at 3 AM I made a batch. Yeah, I've been having food dreams lately. WTH?! I don't get much sleep as it is and when I do I've been dreaming about food.

Couldn't I just have a nice sex dream like other people???

Nope. Not me.

Though last night's dream was pretty intense... a NY Salt Bagel toasted with gobs of butter.

Now that is HOT! ;)

Want to check out the other weight loss surgery friendly Bento boxes I have made? Type in Bento (or any other keyword) in the Search Box under my before and after picture

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Make a batch on the weekend and freeze them. I wrap them in foil and then place them in a freezer Ziploc baggie. Then I can just pull them out and toast them like you would Eggo's or any other frozen waffle any day of the week!

Heat waffle maker according to manufacturer's instructions. Mix all ingredients together till well combined.

When waffle maker is heated. Spray lightly with Pam. Pour batter onto iron (amount according to your makers instructions). Put lid down and cook till done. My waffle stick maker has a darkness setting I set at 3 (the banana version is set lower than plain) it beeps when it's done.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

It was 86° yesterday with gorgeous bright blue skies. When you are given a gift like that in March (it's technically still winter) you have to take full advantage.

I spent most of the day outside. I cleaned the patio and mowed the lawn. I heart my cordless electric mower it's actually a pleasure mowing the lawn now. It starts with a turn of a key. No more pulling that damn cord for 20 minutes which made me tired before I even started to mow or having to go fill a gas can and stink up the car with it. Well and it's better for the environment too. A good purchase.

So after all that manual labor the reward was the first BBQ of the season. I made Shrimp Scampi Skewers with a Bean Salad and for dessert...

Mix together milk, protein, syrup and spices. I used this gadget to mix it up. It makes it airy and lump free. If you don't have one just toss it in a blender on super high. You want it fluffy almost double in size. Pour into ice cream maker. Pour in mashed banana. Follow your machine's instructions for freezing. 5 minutes before done add the nuts.

You can eat it right away it is soft serve-ish but I like to put it in the freezer to set for an hour.

It was to die for topped with a drizzle of Smucker's Sugar Free Caramel Sauce and a tablespoon of my Nutty Crumble Topping.

Whiz pecans in a mini food processor till fine. Add the rest of the ingredients (except sliced almonds) and whiz again till thoroughly mixed. Pour into a bowl. Mix in sliced almonds and sprinkle clumps of the topping onto a baking sheet and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Allow to cool. Store in sealed container for several days. Sprinkle on top of Custards, Protein Ice Cream or Greek Yogurt.

Mix powder into a smooth paste with a little of the milk. Heat the remaining milk to almost boiling and pour onto the custard mixture. Return the mix to the pan and heat till thickened (it will bubble). Remove from heat and mix Sugar Free Syrup in. You can eat this as is warm (my favorite) poured over slices of my 5 Minute Cakes, Crumbs and Protein Souffles or chill it and it will firm up like pudding.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

I wanted the traditional flavors of St. Patty's Day but didn't want to cook a big hunk of corned beef brisket that we'd have to eat for days. These were perfect and super yummy. I used deli sliced corned beef but it would be a great use for your leftover corned beef too.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

If you don't hear from me by this afternoon search party my ass would ya ;)

Naaahhh, I should be golden. I'm bringing my cell phone with Global Positioning (GPS) on it and snacks this time. No repeats of past experiences needed. When I was 13 years old I was lost for 14 hours, alone in the Catskill Mountains. October. No coat, no water, and no food. Scary. But now I'll have my phone and my super cool bento box filled with goodies so no worries.

About Me

I had my guts rearranged (aka Weight Loss Surgery, RNY gastric bypass surgery June 2006) This blog is basically me rambling about my world. I also post recipes that I've adapted to make weight loss surgery friendly.
I love to cook.
I have always loved to cook. It's my creative outlet. I was scared that having weight loss surgery would put an end to my days in the kitchen but happily it did not. I actually get to be even more creative by analyzing a favorite recipe and seeing where I can make changes to make a healthier version of a pre-op favorite.